Connection for glass fiber reinforced rods or the like

ABSTRACT

A connection of rods, particularly for the erection of static constructions as braced mast, grid carrier, or the like, which comprises a plurality of main carriers and connecting rods, a driven wedge means clamping to each other faces of said rods pointing to each other, a hoop assuming the reaction force of said wedge, and receiving the parts to be connected, and said hoop comprising glass-fiber strands wound in peripheral direction and embedded in synthetic material.

United States Patent [151 3,685,862

Rudolf 1 1 Aug. 22, 1972 r [54] CONNECTION FOR GLASS FIBER 2,122 1909 Great Britain ....287/ 189.36 C REINFORCED RODS OR THE LIKE 1,237,907 6/1960 France ..287/54 B 172] lnventor: Artur Rudolf, Biebelshoferweg 2, Nll28650 8/1956 Germany "287/189'36'C flermesdorfiwaldbml Germany 17,822 12/1946 Sweden ..287/54 B 882,236 7/1953 Germany ..287/1 89.36 C [22] Filed: July 15, 1972 I Primary Examiner-David J. Williamowsky [21] Appl 55088 Assistant ExaminerWayne L. Shedd Att0rriey-Emest G. Montague [30] Foreign Application Priority Data July 19, 1969 Germany ..P 19 36 903.0 [57] ABSTRACT June 13, 1970 Germany ..P 20 29 263.1 A connection of rods, particularly for the erection of static constructions as braced mast, grid carrier, or the [52] US. Cl ..287/20.92 G, 52/309, 52/693, like, which comprises a plurality of main carriers and 287/54 B connecting rods, a driven wedge means clamping to [51] Int. CL' ..F16b 2/14, Fl6b 7/04 each other faces of said rods pointing to each other, a [58] Field of Search..287/20.92 G, 54 A, 54 B, 54 C, hoop assuming the reaction force of said wedge, and 287/20.924, 20.925, 20.926, 20.927, 53.5, receiving the parts to be connected, and said hoop 114; 182/79, 146; 52/309, 690, 693- comprising glass-fiber strands wound in peripheral direction and embedded in synthetic material. [56] References Cited 14 Claims, 22 Drawing Figures FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLlCATlONS 661,203 4/1963 Canada ..52/309 PATENTED AUB 22 m2 SHEET 2 OF 8 PATENTEUAUGZZ m2 SHEU 3 BF 8 FIG. 6

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CONNECTION FOR GLASS FIBER REINFORCED RODS OR THE LIKE The present invention relates to a connection for rods, particularly for erection of static structures, braced mast, lattice-work girders, or the like, in which the rod faces pointing toward each other within the range of the connecting point are braced relative to each other by a driven-in wedge in which, the reaction force of which is assumed by a hoop gripping the parts to be connected.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a connection for glass-fiber enforced rods of synthetic material, or the like, which eliminates also any crosssection reduction by bolts, bores, or the like, of the rods, so that by a simple production possibility of this connection, a tension force remaining high-graded over longest time periods of use is assured at the connecting point.

In accordance with the present invention, the tensioning forces can be further increased, if the section of at least one rod is thickened wedge-like towards its free end and a tension wedge equipped with an oppositely disposed wedge inclination is coordinated therewith.

As long as, in accordance with the present invention, the hoop is formed as a polygon, in the corner edge of which the one rod engages forcibly, the remaining comer edges are tensioned against its further connecting rods, by means of intermediately driven wedges, the one, wider wedge secures by a filling extension between two inner faces of the hoop the other wedge against cross-wise displacement.

In order to avoid here in particular, that the hoop, which is likely to break cross-wise to the peripheral direction, is destroyed and damaged, respectively, during driving-in of the wedge with engagement of its inner faces, the present invention brings about the advantage, that at least the one inner face of the hoop, pointing to the wedge driven-in between the rod and the hoop, is equipped with a sliding and protectionwall. An advantageous structure form comprises thereby, in accordance with the present invention, the feature that the slideand protection-wall has glassfiber strands disposed in the direction of driving-in of the wedge and embedded in known manner in synthetic resin. It is thereby furthermore of advantage, in accordance with the present invention, when the slideand protection-wall is formed integrally of the same material with the hoop.

In summary, it can be stated, that a connection can be produced with appreciable speed. The cross-sections of the loaded rods, struts, or the like, are not subjected to a weakening interfering with the stability. This applies also for the zone of the notch maintained always small for the entrance of the holding cam, since the only local weakening, which is neglectable only, is compensated by the tensioning hoop grip, so that the nominal loads of the rod are completely absorbed. Weatherand temperature-influences do not bring about any interference with the connections. The connecting points are capable of being loaded immediately after the mounting. The point of junction constitutes a correct solution as to material of the connecting problem of the structures having most different crosssections out of the material glass-fiber-synthetic resin. It is particularly economical and has an unusually high safety degree. Also, the demounting is made possible with the preservation of the structural parts.

With these and other objects in view, which will become apparent in the following detailed description, the present invention, which is shown by example only, will be clearly understood in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal view of a point of junction on a braced pole;

FIG. 2 is a section along the lines IIII of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section along the lines IIIIII of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of an end of a strut, at enlarged scale, which thickens towards its free ends;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary showing of a corresponding braced mast;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of another embodiment of a point of junction connection with a fixing of the rods and struts obtained by holding cams, whereby a distancing plate is used;

FIG. 7 is a section along the lines VIIVII of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-section of still another embodiment of a point of juntion connection;

FIG. 9 is again a variationof a point of junction connection showing an intermediate slideand protectionwall between the inner face of the hoop and the wedge and wedges, respectively;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation of a cross-connection of struts;

FIG. 1 1 is a corresponding top plan view thereof;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the cross-member used;

FIG. 12a is a side elevation of the cross-member disclosed in FIG. 12;

FIG. 13 is another embodiment of a connection point;

FIG. 14 is -a section along the lines XIVXIV of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a section along the lines XVXV of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is an end view of a connection of the end of a strut with a rod carrier passing therethrough;

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the connection shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a section along the lines XVIII-XVIII of FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is a side elevation of an oblique-angled connection;

FIG. 20 is a top plan view of the connection disclosed in FIG. 19; and

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the bridge member.

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1-4, the connection at the point of junction comprises the main carriers 1 and the connecting rods 2 of layers of synthetic material reinforced by glass fibers of square cross-section. v For a braced mast disclosed in FIG. 5, diagonally extending connecting rods 2 are provided, which connect the main carriers 1, extending parallel towards each other by formation of point junctions with each other, to a braced pole.

The glass-fiber strands are symbolically shown by lines F. As can be seen, the glass-fiber strands extend in the longitudinal direction of the main carrier 1, as well as of the connecting rods 2.

The connecting rods 2 are equipped with angular sections 3, forming the free ends of the rods. The sections 3, as well as the main carrier 1, are hoop 4.

The latter comprises glass-fiber strands F wound in peripheral direction and embedded in synthetic resin.

The tensioning of this connection of the point of junction takes place by means of wedges 5, 6 and 6, respectively, driven in the longitudinal direction of the sections 3.

The hoop 4 is produced in a winding process without seam of so-called glass silk and is soaked in synthetic resin. It has the form of a polygon, in which a corner edge 4' as well as opposite thereto, two comer edges 4" and 4", are formed. The latter are connected by a diagonal extension of the hoop wall 4" (see FIG. 3).

The sections 3 are thickened towards the free end about for the amount x. In coincidence therewith, the wedges 5, 5', 6 and 6' are thickened towards one of its ends. The wedges 5 and 5 have the width of the main carrier 1, and are as to theirwidth, slightly reduced, respectively. The wedges 6 and 6 are formed still with an inclined end edge 6", which extends to the hoop wall 4". Accordingly, the wedge 6 and 6, respectively, supports the wedge 6 and 6', respectively, entering towards the former in the cross-wise direction.

For the purpose of mounting the connection of the point junction, at first a connecting rod 2 is rigidly tensioned with the main carrier 1 by means of a wedge 5 in the corner 4" within the hoop 4, in which the main carrier l is mounted in the corner edge 4. Thereafter, there takes place the rigid clamping of the section 3 extending in a perpendicular plane thereto of the other connecting rod 2 in the comer 4" by means of the wedge 6. This wedge 6 likewise has carrying faces inclined towards each other, whereby the sections 3 of the particular connecting rod, which is changed, is rigidly clamped.

In the same manner, the symmetrically formed further sections 3 of the connecting rods 2 of the other fields are rigidly clamped, whereby their wedges 5' and 6' are driven in so far, that between their inner ends sufficient play remains, while the sections 3 move suitably toward each other with their end faces.

By this wedging within the hoop 4, which has a very low travel of the spring system, a permanent clamping is obtained, which can be held always greater, than the occurring pulling moment of a connecting rod.

One can equip in the described connection of the point junction also all connecting faces with a glue resin, so that in most unfavorable cases, an additional safety against displacement or any chemical attacks is obtained.

In the embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 6 and 7 of the present invention, the hoop 4, which is triangular in cross-section, has on the inside at the triangular edges, a plurality of holding cams 9 for the entrance into a gripped by a notch 10 of the rod 2. This formation serves the itolerance-free fixing of the predetermined position of the connecting points. This simultaneous pre-characterization permits practically a fool-proof construction. The holding cams 9 comprise glass-fiber plates of synthetic material and are driven into corresponding slots in the hoop 4, so that they fix the section 3 of the rods 2, in which likewise fitting diagonal notches 10 are provided. In order that in this formation an exact align ment of the connecting rods is obtained, a distance plate is provided formed at their narrow longitudinal edges, which distance plate retains the sections 3 of the rods 2 in a position rigidly pressed towards the inner As is shown in FIG. 8, the formation can be used also i in central longitudinal rods 1'. The annular and 0ctagonal hoop 4, respectively, has engaging faces corresponding with the width of the rod sections 3. The wedges 8 are provided in corresponding arrangement, particularly as shown in FIG. 7.

As can be ascertained from the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 9, between the inner face 4""' of the hoop 4 and the wedges 5 and 5', (the wedges 6 and 6' have been omitted in the wedges 6 and6') a slideand protection-wall 20 is interposed. The latter has glassfiber strands F, extending in the driving-in direction of the wedges 5 and 5' and embedded likewise in synthetic resin. The clamping faces of the wedges 5 and 5' enter engagement accordingly exclusively with glassfiber strands F and F extending exclusively in the driving-in direction. In this manner it is avoided, that the hoop 4 tears parallel to the winding direction of its glass-fiber strands. An extremely low wall thickness y for the slideand protection-wall 20 is sufficientThe wedges can accordingly be driven -inat the points without interference of the safety, where they are particularly accessible. This means, that if necessary, the total inner face 4" of the hoop is available. By this arrangement this type of connectioncan bev produced to be subjected to high loads.

The production process of hoop 4 permits to form the slideand protection-wall 20 practically of the same material as the hoop 4. In such cases, also any slight displacements of the slideand protection-wall are avoided.

As can be ascertained from FIGS. 10-13, the above described handling can be applied also to cross-shaped connections. As a connecting element, a cross-shaped intermediate member 13 is provided, the tabs 14 and 14' of which are clamped to each other, on the one hand, with the one rod 1 and, on the otherhand, with the other rod 2, again by using the hoop and wedge 5. It is favorable thereby, if the glass-fiber inserts of the cross-shaped intermediate member 13 extend superposed relative to each other in the median range. The thereby increased distance (see FIGS. 10 and 13, respectively) of the oppositely disposed rod engaging faces serves as space for driving-in the wedges 5 and 5'. There also are the tabs 14 and 14' formed on their faces 15 wedge-like. Concerning the rod 1 again a slideand protection-wall 20 is interposed. In the case of the rod 2 the wedge 5 between the tabs 14 and the rod are driven-in so that in this case a slideand protection-wall20 can be omitted, since also the cross-shaped intermediate member 13 is equipped with glass-fiber strands extending in longitudinal direction. For reasons of better demonstration FIG. 12a only is equipped with the symbolic line F.

One can now obtain still a stiffening of this connec tion in case of highly loaded cross-connections, if, as shown in FIG. 13, the supporting angle 16, overlapping the cross-connection is provided, which likewise is made of a profile of synthetic material enforced with glass fibers. Also here are the straight lined ends of this supporting angle 16 rigidly clamped by the use of a hoop 4 and of the wedges 5 with the rods 1 and 2, respectively. As further shown in the lower part of FIG. 13, the supporting angles 16 can by example also serve as feet for anchoring of the rod 2.

In accordance with the construction shown in FIGS. 16-18, it is made possible, to secure a strut 2' on a running through rod 1 in cross-position to the latter. For this purpose, the end of the rod 2' which engages with its face on the rod 1 is overlapped by a bridge member 17, which has end sections 18 extending parallel to the rod 1 and which is mounted by means of a hoop 4 each in addition to the wedge on the rod 1. Also, the bridge member 17 has a glass-fiber strand arrangement corresponding with the rod 1. Between the wedge 5 and the inner faces 4'" of the hoop 4 there is interposed the slideand protection-wall 20. The face engagement of the strut 2', for example, if the latter is for the purpose of being suitable, is disposed with its diagonal cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the strut face, and also a flattening 19 is obtained. The edge of the strut 2' disposed opposite the flattening 19 is arranged forcibly in an open angle of the bridge member 17. For the wedges 5 to be driven-in from the outside, the end sections 18 of the bridge member 17 are wedge-like pointed.

The mentioned bridge member can also serve in a particular design to engage the face of square struts with that of the rod 1 and to connect cross-wise thereby the same. In accordance with FIGS. 19-21 an embodione wider of said wedges secures with filling extension, between two oppositely disposed inner faces of said hoop, another of said wedges against crosswise displacement. 2. The connection of rods, as set forth in claim 1, wherein clamping faces of said wedge engage between said rods gripped by said hoop on the side faces of said rods. 3. The connection of rods, as set forth in claim 1,

wherein said rods are armed with glass-fiber strands extending in direction of said rods, and the driving-in connection of said wedge is disposed in said longitudinal direction of said glass fiber strands. 4. The connection of rods, as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one inner face of said hoop pointing towards said wedge driven-in betweensaid rod and said hoop is equipped with a slideand protection-wall. 5. The connection of rods, as setforth in claim 4,

1 wherein ment is proposed, in which the bridge member 17 is arranged crossed in its position, so that the strut 2 is maintained also in a corresponding crossing angle x. The end sections 18' of the bridge member 17 are, as explained above, conical and are clamped by means of a hoop 4 and wedge 5 with the rod 1.

While we have disclosed several embodiments of the present invention, it is to be understood that this embodiment is by example only, and 'not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A connection of rods, particularly for the erection of static constructions as braced poles, grid carrier, or the like, comprising a plurality of main carriers, and connecting rods,

a driven wedge means clamping to each other faces of said rods pointing to each other,

a hoop assuming the reaction force of said wedge,

and receiving the parts to be connected,

said hoop comprising glass-fiber strands wound in peripheral direction and embedded in synthetic material,

a section of at least one of said rods thickens wedgelike towards its free end,

a clamping wedge having opposite wedge inclination is coordinated thereto, said hoop is formed as a polygon, in one corner edge of which said one rod engages forcibly,

additional of said rods are clamped against the remaining comer edges by means of intermediately driven wedges, and

said slideand protection-wall has glass fiber strands disposed in the driving-in connection of said wedge and embedded in synthetic resin. 6. The connection of rods, as set forth in claim 4,

wherein said slideand protection-wall is made of the same material as that of said hoop. 7. The connection of rods, as set forth in claim 1, which includes a cross-shaped intermediate member having projecting tabs, and v the latter are clamped together with one of said rods and with another of said rods by means of said hoop and said wedge. 8. The connection of rods, as set forth in claim 7, which includes a plurality of cross-shaped intermediate members,

and glass fiber inserts of said cross-shaped intermediate members extend crossingly over each other within the median range of said intermediate members. 9. The connection of rods, as set forth in claim 1, which includes intermediate angles having leg members, and the latter extend parallel to said rods and are clamped together with said rods by means of said hoop and said wedge. 10. The connection of rods, as set forth in claim 1, which includes a bridge means, the end of one of said rods engaging the face of another of said rods is forcibly overgripped by said bridge, and the latter has end sections extending parallel to said another of said rods and clamped with said another of said rods by means of said hoop and said wedge. 11. The connection of rods, as set forth in claim 10, wherein a longitudinal edge of said rod has a flattened portion permitting said face engagement, and the oppositely disposed edge is disposed in the open angle of said bridge. 12. The connection of rods, as set forth in claim 1, which includes 7 8 holding cams, said inner face of said hoop is disposed opposite to said hoop has at least one of said holding cams on its said wedge.

inner face, and 14. The connection of rods, as set forth in claim 12, a recess on the surface of said rod receiving said one 7 wherein of said h ldi ams 1 5 said holding cam is disposed in the corner spaces of 13. The connection of rods, as set forth in claim 12, v sald hQ P- wherein t r 4: a: 

1. A connection of rods, particularly for the erection of static constructions as braced poles, grid carrier, or the like, comprising a plurality of main carriers, and connecting rods, a driven wedge means clamping to each other faces of said rods pointing to each other, a hoop assuming the reaction force of said wedge, and receiving the parts to be connected, said hoop comprising glass-fiber strands wound in peripheral direction and embedded in synthetic material, a section of at least one of said rods thickens wedge-like towards its free end, a clamping wedge having opposite wedge inclination is coordinated thereto, said hoop is formed as a polygon, in one corner edge of which said one rod engages forcibly, additional of said rods are clamped against the remaining corner edges by means of intermediately driven wedges, and one wider of said wedges secures with filling extension, between two oppositely disposed inner faces of said hoop, another of said wedges against cross-wise displacement.
 2. The connection of rods, as set forth in claim 1, wherein clamping faces of said wedge engage between said rods gripped by said hoop on the side faces of said rods.
 3. The connection of rods, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said rods are armed with glass-fiber strands extending in direction of said rods, and the driving-in connection of said wedge is disposed in said longitudinal direction of said glass fiber strands.
 4. The connection of rods, as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one inner face of said hoop pointing towards said wedge driven-in between said rod and said hoop is equipped with a slide- and protection-wall.
 5. The connection of rods, as set forth in claim 4, wherein said slide- and protection-wall has glass fiber strands disposed in the driving-in connection of said wedge and embedded in synthetic resin.
 6. The connection of rods, as set forth in claim 4, wherein said slide- and protection-wall is made of the same material as that of said hoop.
 7. The connection of rods, as set forth in claim 1, which includes a cross-shaped intermediate member having projecting tabs, and the latter are clamped together with one of said rods and with another of said rods by means of said hoop and said wedge.
 8. The connection of rods, as set forth in claim 7, which includes a plurality of cross-shaped intermediate members, and glass fiber inserts of said cross-shaped intermediate members extend crossingly over each other within the median range of said intermediate members.
 9. The connection of rods, as set forth in claim 1, which includes intermediate angles having leg members, and the latter extend parallel to said rods and are clamped together with said rods by means of said hoop and said wedge.
 10. The connection of rods, as set forth in claim 1, which includes a bridge means, the end of one of said rods engaging the face of another of said rods is forcibly overgripped by said bridge, and the latter has end sections extending parallel to said another of said rods and clamped with said another of said rods by means of said hoop and said wedge.
 11. The connection of rods, as set forth in claim 10, wherein a longitudinal edge of said rod has a flattened portion permitting said face engagemEnt, and the oppositely disposed edge is disposed in the open angle of said bridge.
 12. The connection of rods, as set forth in claim 1, which includes holding cams, said hoop has at least one of said holding cams on its inner face, and a recess on the surface of said rod receiving said one of said holding cams.
 13. The connection of rods, as set forth in claim 12, wherein said inner face of said hoop is disposed opposite to said wedge.
 14. The connection of rods, as set forth in claim 12, wherein said holding cam is disposed in the corner spaces of said hoop. 